OverDrive Checkouts

Sara West's blog

Performing an appendectomy, flying a 747, and building a skyscraper are deeply complex tasks that require specialists and the proper tools. Despite the deep knowledge and high-tech tools needed to get the job done safely, complications arise. What is one of the easiest ways to prevent accidents and keep such complex tasks running smoothly? It isn't more training and better equipment, according to surgeon Atul Gawande. It is something simple and often overlooked - the humble checklist.

My 2012 book year started on a high note when I learned that my favorite singer, Jenny Berggren, is set to release her autobiography in English. You may not immediately recognize the name, but if you've ever heard "The Sign", "Don't Turn Around" or "Beautiful Life", then you've heard Jenny Berggren's work as a part of Swedish pop sensation Ace of Base.

Many film studios reserve some of their biggest releases for the last two weeks of the year. One of the movies premiering on Christmas day is called War Horse and is based on a historical fiction book of the same name written by Michael Morpurgo. The film is set during World War I but it is not a war movie, according to director Steven Spielberg.

Many of us exchange gifts this time of year. But what happens when the receiver keeps both the present and the packaging? What does it mean when a person can't bring themselves to get rid of something most people would throw away? The clinical condition of hoarding has recently been highlighted on reality shows such as A&E's Hoarders. It is estimated that there are about six million people with the condition in the US.

Ever find yourself stuck trying to come up with good songs to add to your playlist? These books will lead you to some of the best recordings ever made. Use these guides to recall your favorites and discover some new tunes along the way:

Last Sunday, ABC premiered a new TV show about the jet age in the '60s based on iconic Pan Am airlines. What was it really like flying around the world in flashy jet planes just sixty years after Orville and Wilbur first took to the sky? Is "Pan Am" based in reality or is it more fiction than fact?

Many of us remember where we were ten years ago on September 11th. The news unfolded before us in real time - on TV, the radio, in the newspapers, and online. We can recall exactly where we were and what we were doing when we first learned about the attacks. In that way, we all have a personal account of that day.

These books retell personal experiences from people who were directly caught up in the attack and its aftermath. Each one is based on a specific perspective from a specific place, but they all recount the history of that day that changed the nation and the world.

Something you own breaks. You might have a leaky faucet or a clogged sink. Maybe that key isn't turning in the door as smoothly as it once did. If you're mechanically inclined, you fix the issue and go on your way. If you're like a lot of people, you start wondering what it might take to fix it and how much it might cost to get it working again.

You can hope it will eventually fix itself or you can grab a book and learn some Do-It-Yourself. These books can start you on the path to becoming a DIY star. Before long, your friends will be asking you for repair help.